Chapter 4
Shalice did her best to mix the remedy Maeve once showed her. She was rather content with the more contemporary ways of doing things and letting the physician see her, but Maeve would have none of that, she trusted three things in her life with her health: Her potions, Master Dim Dim and his potions, and a friend she once told Shalice about who was a physician. Now that she had met the famous crew of The Nomad, she came to the realization of whom it was.
*Flashback*
Shalice and Firouz spent only minutes together, but from she gathered he was a scientist, who owned an intellect that would contest to her own and a mouth the size of the Red Sea. However, she was not truly aware of his identity until she saw his reaction when he found Maeve on the ground after the attack. He was turned from a babbling scientist with so much in his mind that it all must spill out through his mouth to a focused man who commanded all the others. He ran to Maeve and began examining her condition, like he knew what he was doing. She did not know whether to be impressed or jealous.
It had been her post to keep the members of the palace in good physical condition. She had not been a physician, not yet anyway, but she was still learning. When Maeve graced their island she went from a studying physician to a sorceress' apprentice. She did not mean to become engulfed in the ways of magic; she spent many of the first few weeks debating with its improbabilities. However, intrigue won over and she went from reading one of Maeve's spell books to becoming her apprentice.
When Firouz had Dermott place Maeve's body in her room, he examined her with ease, he did not need Shalice to give him accounts of Maeve's history with illnesses; he already knew them, with the exception of some new scars her body had acquired since last he seen her. Firouz was quite familiar with the mechanism of Maeve's body and histories of her body that even Shalice was familiar with. He could account for scars that she had obtained when she was a child.
She then knew when she saw him, the only physician of science Maeve would ever trust with her health. Maeve never meant it to insult Shalice or her intelligence, though it did get under her skin every once in a while, but she and Firouz had saved each other's lives in battle on more than one occasion. And she had decided if she could trust him with her life in battle, she could trust him with it always.
What Firouz did was nothing miraculous, Shalice had to fill in a few gaps that magic, not science could solve. Still however he had her recuperating and he kept everyone else calm, especially Sinbad. Sinbad, he was the great captain to renowned Nomad that sailed the seven seas. However, she did not see a prominent captain of a famous crew. She saw a concerned man, yelling profusely at everyone who tried distancing from Maeve's unconscious form; he refused to leave the side of a woman he obviously cared deeply for.
These people surprised Shalice. She heard Maeve talk of them very little in her time on Cestria. And any time she would recall her moments with them her eyes would fill with a longing that Shalice did not quite understand. She knew Maeve had shared more with Deora about her days with them, but it was not out of miss trust, it was out having a different rapport. Shalice and Maeve were great friends, but they were also student and teacher, and there were lines neither should cross.
Shalice looked at them and saw the same longing in their eyes as she once saw in Maeve's eyes. These men truly loved her, in different ways of course, but each of them showed unquestionable concern for her. The woman, the sorceress who traveled with them, seemed to not be as familiar with Maeve by her questions to the others. Yet when you saw her eyes on Maeve it seemed as if they shared some great bond.
Firouz came to the conclusion that Maeve's collision with the wall had caused her to become unconscious. Shalice then added the reason she would not wake was due to the fact Maeve's body could not take the energy she let out. Everyone left to his or her own quarters with the exception of the captain; he remained by Maeve's side as she slept. Shalice found it rather inappropriate, but said nothing due to how he reacted when Firouz tried to convince him to leave her side once before. He was obstinate on stay by her until she woke.
*End Flashback*
Now here Shalice was once more, making more remedies for Maeve's body to regain its energy, AGAIN. Did Maeve not realize that using her powers again with Toris would cause her body could not sustain her powers so quickly after last night? Of course she knew, but Maeve is far to headstrong to ever admit it.
As Shalice entered Maeve's room, she noticed Maeve already awake and preparing to leave. "Oh, no you do not, Maeve you must rest." Maeve said nothing to the girl's command, but continued to fresh up so she could leave her room. "Maeve you will run yourself into the ground if you continue to try and function with little strength." Maeve then looked at her with the bowl she was obviously holding out for Maeve to drink.
Maeve decided Shalice was right, at least mostly, so Maeve took the bowl and drank the putrid remedy. Once she finished drinking the concoction she was prepared to rejoin the others, "Where are they?" She looked Shalice straight in the eye, and now Shalice kept her silence. "Girl, you can either tell me or I will look through each room in this castle in search of them." The two had no need for a battle of words, there eyes and facial expression fit the bill quite well. However, Maeve always won out. "Oh, fine, they are in the war room, but Maeve you should..." and with that Maeve was out the room.
*****
"I think the Captain and his crew need to know a little more of Vexicus." Deora said to Toris as she handed him the chalice of wine she just poured him. He nodded in response. "You are right Deora....Well Sinbad I do believe you now know why your presence was requested. Vexicus was once my grandfather's high counsel. My grandfather did not know it then, but he was evil. He wanted to marry my mother, but she fell in love with my father. My grandfather loved my mother and granted the marriage. He became so infuriated, and little did my grandfather know he had begun studies in the black arts," Toris gulped down what was left in his chalice, "at the day of my parents' wedding Vexicus attacked the island. He destroyed almost everything in his past, including my father's Uncle and cousin. My grandfather knew he could not contend with Vexicus magic, but little did Vexicus know my grandfather still had a few ruses left. My grandfather was great friends with who you know to be Master Dim Dim." Sinbad straightened his posture at the mention of the name, "Master Dim Dim came and defeated Vexicus. He sent Vexicus and his minions into another dimension, and put a protection spell on the island. Life on Cestria became peaceful again. When last Dim Dim came to visit my parents Cestria had been safe for so long that Dim Dim decided to lift the spell and gave the powers to Mailadine when she was born. That is how life remained, peaceful, pleasant.....at least until Dim Dim's banishment. His powers were too weak to hold Vexicus in the other dimension; Vexicus freed himself and came back here for revenge. I guess Dim Dim knew this would happen because Maeve showed about the same time as Vexicus and put that protection spell around the island, it...."
He was cut off when Maeve stepped into the room. All eyes were on her: Toris, Deora, Doubar, Rongar, Firouz, Dermott, Bryn, but Sinbad's are the eyes she locked onto. "How are you feeling?" She started to walk towards him, but stopped due to all the others in the room....she decided it would be a better idea to finish the conversation, "Better thank you. Um.....as Toris was telling you Dim Dim sent me here after he took me from the boat. The protection spell I put on the island was strong, temporary, but strong. Ileana told me she was calling upon an old friend for help. I did not expect it to be you of course," she gave a quick, nervous smile and he replied in the same fashion, "the spell should have stayed up, but I did not think we had a traitor among us." Shalice walked in from behind her, "Meliko?" Maeve turned to the girl to answer, "Yes, he was a royal guard..." Firouz cut her off, "we remember, we sort of a had a little run- in before our welcome dinner," Maeve smiled and responded, "Yes, well, because he was a royal guard he had access to my potions room. That is where he must have found the counter spell." She looked down to the ground as if she blamed herself for the battle, for letting Meliko take the spell.
"Yes, that is probably what happened," Toris got up and went over to Maeve, "but let us not blame ourselves for Meliko's decisions. He betrayed his people, their trust, not us, not you either." She looked up at him and nodded. They had bonded over her time there, they had become friends, and they had trusted each other to bring this island back to its peace and simplicity. She let out a loud gasp and began, "I know you boys have not been sitting here this whole time talking history. Her eyes turned back to Sinbad, "So what is the plan?" . However, the look wasn't the nervous, longing looks they had been giving each other since they first came upon each other again, it was something more familiar more playful. "You do know me well, don't you sorceress?" His response and the look that follwed put redness in her cheeks. "Well, the first thing we need to do is get the people out the village and into a safe area," Maeve looked back at Toris who had the same answer in mind, they both nodded at each other, "the caves in the mountains would probably be best, they are high enough to shelter from any assault and Vexicus is unfamiliar with them. The Nomad's crew could help move them." Sinbad grinned noticing how knowledgeable she had become for battling, and how comfortable she felt with volunteering them. "Yes, Maeve that would be perfect." The two started gazing again, the others were starting to get rather amused at the unspoken flirting that was going on, but Toris not understanding what was going on interrupted them, "Deora I will speak with the people, Maeve and the rest of you can make plans with the crew, and Shalice can stay here and guard over Maila." They all nodded at the plan, and Toris and Deora exited the room. Seeing the looks everyone else was giving each other, Shalice also left behind them.
They all stood there in silence, not exactly sure what to say until, "Enough of this, Lass it is good to have you back." With Doubar's words he gave her a bear hug and picked her up like a rag doll to a little girl. She giggled at this, and everyone accompanied her. Firouz and Rongar were next to give her hugs. Bryn was not exactly sure of how to address her, so she held out her hand for a shake, Maeve gave her an astonished look that frightened Bryn. But Bryn's fears were put to rest when Maeve hugged her. The two woman smiled at both their uneasiness was lifted. Next was Sinbad, they knew hugging was something what they wanted to do, there was so much to say, but for the sake of everyone else in the room they embraced each other. The embrace was sweet, and it gave them both chances to breathe in each other again. Nevertheless the other member left in the room distracted Maeve. She let herself out of Sinbad's embrace and slowly made her way over to her brother. They stared at each other for a moment, and then with smiles on both faces Dermott took his sister in his arms and stayed that way for a rather long period.
*****
Sinbad and the others all headed into the village to speak with the crew. They also wanted to give them a surprise.
Once the entire crew had congregated Sinbad stood on a high positioned rock so they could all hear him speak. "Men! Now I know you all heard of the battle last night. But what you don't know that was not the first for this island with that enemy, and it will not be the last. Now I have enlisted my services for help, but someone from the palace would like to ask you for yours," he then pointed to the person standing behind Doubar, and when all the men saw her they began to cheer. They all yelled in unison, "MAEVE! It is good to see you woman.....SORCERESS, THANK ALLAH!.....knew the woman could not stay away from us long...." as Sinbad lifted her onto the rock with him he ended mistakenly pulling her close to him, they looked into each others eyes, and then she quickly turned and faced the men. She smiled and laughed at all their cheers.
"Hey boys I missed you too." She smiled, "Now please calm yourselves I need to speak with you all." It took them a few moments, but they did as she asked; "Now I am glad to see all of you as well. Now I know you all have many questions so I will do my best to answer them for you. I should start by saying that I have been on this island the majority of time since I last saw you all. Master Dim Dim sent me here because he believed they needed my help more than you, and Bryn was to be sent to you anyway so he knew I could be used elsewhere. Cestria island is an island of peaceful, simple people as you probably already have been made aware by being in the village, but these people are not warriors and are not familiar with battle. I come here to ask you for your help. The time is coming where this island will face its greatest battle against its greatest enemy. And the people I can think of that can help, that can truly win this is the crew of The Nomad. I'm not saying this will be easy, and I would not blame you if you choose to do it but...." One of the crewmates stood up, "Maeve, if we do this, does that mean you would becoming back to the ship afterwards?"
His question stunned Maeve. She looked around to see if anyone would assist her, but by looking around they all wanted an answer to that question, and as her eyes reached Sinbad's eyes she answered in a quiet voice, "Yes." The men's cheers startled her a bit, but made her laugh again. Sinbad then jumped back on the rock, back in front of Maeve and turned to the crew, "well then men do I take it you are all in for another adventure?!" They cheered again at their Captain's question. "Wonderful, then split yourselves in two, the first group help collect the elderly, the mothers and children to the caves up in the mountains, the palace guards will show you away. The other group take the men and able woman and follow the foot soldiers to the beach and begin building trenches!" the men all dispersed in following Sinbad's orders.
Maeve and Sinbad both jumped off the rock and to the others in the group. Some crewmembers hugged Maeve; others just wave as they began their job. She knew she missed them as much as they missed her. When she turned back she saw Sinbad approach her, and smile began to fade. However, it was not Sinbad who reached her first. "Hello sister, I believe we need to talk." And with that said Dermott grabbed her arm and pulled her to the beach. Maeve wasn't sure if she were to be relieved Dermott got there before Sinbad, or worried at what he needed to say to her.
*****
They walked down the beach for a long while. The silence that was joined with the walk tortured Maeve. She knew he had a lot to say, but knew he had know where to start. So being the good sister that she was she b, "Well, little brother, I would think after years of being a Hawk you would have more to say HUMPH!" He glared at her and she giggled at the look. "You are older than me by part of a day, NO MORE...and it is not exactly easy to come up with something to say....we haven't seen each other in almost two years....and years before that I was a member of the feathered family, what would you like me to say?!" She smiled at him, this was more like her brother, she decided to challenge him a bit, "I would like you to say something....I mean you brought me here....than that means you have something you would like to say." She pointed out, "and I know that we have been apart, but it is still me, have I changed so much you can no longer speak to me...." She gave him innocent eyes and fluttering lashes, and then to crown it off, she pouted her bottom lip, "Oh for the love of Allah, do not give me that look....." she pouted her lips more and fluttered her eyes incessantly, "Fine that does it. He grabbed her by her waist and started spinning her. She pinched his hand, and made him yelp. "Sorceress or no sorceress, you are still my runt." Runt that is what he called her growing up since she was so short compared to him.
She smiled back at him and they began laughing, he placed down on the ground and they faced the water and the Nomad. "So have you missed us at all?" Her smiled faded as she looked back at her brother, "I have missed you more than you could ever imagine. But I know you, LITTLE BROTHER, you did not bring me out here to say you missed me." He gave her a sly smile. "You are correct, as usual RUNT, I have been dying for as long as you been gone to speak to you about this." She gave him a sly smile back, "You want to speak of a certain yellow garbed sorceress?" He turned in shock, "how did you.......I mean how could you....is there a power you have yet to tell me about?" She started laughing at her confused brother, "It does not take any power to read the stares you have been giving one another, have you told her how you feel." He shakes his head, "I do not know how I feel." Her eyes widen, "You are such a CAD, you know exactly how you feel, you are just afraid to tell her." He looked back at her and glared again, "well then it must be hereditary because I do not see you telling a certain long haired captain how you feel either." Her mouth dropped open at her brother's statement, the both of them sat and looked out at the water, and he decided to break the ice this time. He slightly shoved her playfully. She shoved back in response, another one of their childhood traditions, to say she forgave him. "You should just tell her." She said solemnly as she look back to him, "Probably, I believe you have such great advisement, you may want to follow it." She smiled at him for still challenging her, "Hmmm, maybe." They looked back at the water, back at the Nomad, back to where their greatest gifts and troubles stemmed from.
TBC.....
R and R please...
Don't worry the next chapter will be chocked full of Sinbad and Maeve...I promise...hehehehe
Shalice did her best to mix the remedy Maeve once showed her. She was rather content with the more contemporary ways of doing things and letting the physician see her, but Maeve would have none of that, she trusted three things in her life with her health: Her potions, Master Dim Dim and his potions, and a friend she once told Shalice about who was a physician. Now that she had met the famous crew of The Nomad, she came to the realization of whom it was.
*Flashback*
Shalice and Firouz spent only minutes together, but from she gathered he was a scientist, who owned an intellect that would contest to her own and a mouth the size of the Red Sea. However, she was not truly aware of his identity until she saw his reaction when he found Maeve on the ground after the attack. He was turned from a babbling scientist with so much in his mind that it all must spill out through his mouth to a focused man who commanded all the others. He ran to Maeve and began examining her condition, like he knew what he was doing. She did not know whether to be impressed or jealous.
It had been her post to keep the members of the palace in good physical condition. She had not been a physician, not yet anyway, but she was still learning. When Maeve graced their island she went from a studying physician to a sorceress' apprentice. She did not mean to become engulfed in the ways of magic; she spent many of the first few weeks debating with its improbabilities. However, intrigue won over and she went from reading one of Maeve's spell books to becoming her apprentice.
When Firouz had Dermott place Maeve's body in her room, he examined her with ease, he did not need Shalice to give him accounts of Maeve's history with illnesses; he already knew them, with the exception of some new scars her body had acquired since last he seen her. Firouz was quite familiar with the mechanism of Maeve's body and histories of her body that even Shalice was familiar with. He could account for scars that she had obtained when she was a child.
She then knew when she saw him, the only physician of science Maeve would ever trust with her health. Maeve never meant it to insult Shalice or her intelligence, though it did get under her skin every once in a while, but she and Firouz had saved each other's lives in battle on more than one occasion. And she had decided if she could trust him with her life in battle, she could trust him with it always.
What Firouz did was nothing miraculous, Shalice had to fill in a few gaps that magic, not science could solve. Still however he had her recuperating and he kept everyone else calm, especially Sinbad. Sinbad, he was the great captain to renowned Nomad that sailed the seven seas. However, she did not see a prominent captain of a famous crew. She saw a concerned man, yelling profusely at everyone who tried distancing from Maeve's unconscious form; he refused to leave the side of a woman he obviously cared deeply for.
These people surprised Shalice. She heard Maeve talk of them very little in her time on Cestria. And any time she would recall her moments with them her eyes would fill with a longing that Shalice did not quite understand. She knew Maeve had shared more with Deora about her days with them, but it was not out of miss trust, it was out having a different rapport. Shalice and Maeve were great friends, but they were also student and teacher, and there were lines neither should cross.
Shalice looked at them and saw the same longing in their eyes as she once saw in Maeve's eyes. These men truly loved her, in different ways of course, but each of them showed unquestionable concern for her. The woman, the sorceress who traveled with them, seemed to not be as familiar with Maeve by her questions to the others. Yet when you saw her eyes on Maeve it seemed as if they shared some great bond.
Firouz came to the conclusion that Maeve's collision with the wall had caused her to become unconscious. Shalice then added the reason she would not wake was due to the fact Maeve's body could not take the energy she let out. Everyone left to his or her own quarters with the exception of the captain; he remained by Maeve's side as she slept. Shalice found it rather inappropriate, but said nothing due to how he reacted when Firouz tried to convince him to leave her side once before. He was obstinate on stay by her until she woke.
*End Flashback*
Now here Shalice was once more, making more remedies for Maeve's body to regain its energy, AGAIN. Did Maeve not realize that using her powers again with Toris would cause her body could not sustain her powers so quickly after last night? Of course she knew, but Maeve is far to headstrong to ever admit it.
As Shalice entered Maeve's room, she noticed Maeve already awake and preparing to leave. "Oh, no you do not, Maeve you must rest." Maeve said nothing to the girl's command, but continued to fresh up so she could leave her room. "Maeve you will run yourself into the ground if you continue to try and function with little strength." Maeve then looked at her with the bowl she was obviously holding out for Maeve to drink.
Maeve decided Shalice was right, at least mostly, so Maeve took the bowl and drank the putrid remedy. Once she finished drinking the concoction she was prepared to rejoin the others, "Where are they?" She looked Shalice straight in the eye, and now Shalice kept her silence. "Girl, you can either tell me or I will look through each room in this castle in search of them." The two had no need for a battle of words, there eyes and facial expression fit the bill quite well. However, Maeve always won out. "Oh, fine, they are in the war room, but Maeve you should..." and with that Maeve was out the room.
*****
"I think the Captain and his crew need to know a little more of Vexicus." Deora said to Toris as she handed him the chalice of wine she just poured him. He nodded in response. "You are right Deora....Well Sinbad I do believe you now know why your presence was requested. Vexicus was once my grandfather's high counsel. My grandfather did not know it then, but he was evil. He wanted to marry my mother, but she fell in love with my father. My grandfather loved my mother and granted the marriage. He became so infuriated, and little did my grandfather know he had begun studies in the black arts," Toris gulped down what was left in his chalice, "at the day of my parents' wedding Vexicus attacked the island. He destroyed almost everything in his past, including my father's Uncle and cousin. My grandfather knew he could not contend with Vexicus magic, but little did Vexicus know my grandfather still had a few ruses left. My grandfather was great friends with who you know to be Master Dim Dim." Sinbad straightened his posture at the mention of the name, "Master Dim Dim came and defeated Vexicus. He sent Vexicus and his minions into another dimension, and put a protection spell on the island. Life on Cestria became peaceful again. When last Dim Dim came to visit my parents Cestria had been safe for so long that Dim Dim decided to lift the spell and gave the powers to Mailadine when she was born. That is how life remained, peaceful, pleasant.....at least until Dim Dim's banishment. His powers were too weak to hold Vexicus in the other dimension; Vexicus freed himself and came back here for revenge. I guess Dim Dim knew this would happen because Maeve showed about the same time as Vexicus and put that protection spell around the island, it...."
He was cut off when Maeve stepped into the room. All eyes were on her: Toris, Deora, Doubar, Rongar, Firouz, Dermott, Bryn, but Sinbad's are the eyes she locked onto. "How are you feeling?" She started to walk towards him, but stopped due to all the others in the room....she decided it would be a better idea to finish the conversation, "Better thank you. Um.....as Toris was telling you Dim Dim sent me here after he took me from the boat. The protection spell I put on the island was strong, temporary, but strong. Ileana told me she was calling upon an old friend for help. I did not expect it to be you of course," she gave a quick, nervous smile and he replied in the same fashion, "the spell should have stayed up, but I did not think we had a traitor among us." Shalice walked in from behind her, "Meliko?" Maeve turned to the girl to answer, "Yes, he was a royal guard..." Firouz cut her off, "we remember, we sort of a had a little run- in before our welcome dinner," Maeve smiled and responded, "Yes, well, because he was a royal guard he had access to my potions room. That is where he must have found the counter spell." She looked down to the ground as if she blamed herself for the battle, for letting Meliko take the spell.
"Yes, that is probably what happened," Toris got up and went over to Maeve, "but let us not blame ourselves for Meliko's decisions. He betrayed his people, their trust, not us, not you either." She looked up at him and nodded. They had bonded over her time there, they had become friends, and they had trusted each other to bring this island back to its peace and simplicity. She let out a loud gasp and began, "I know you boys have not been sitting here this whole time talking history. Her eyes turned back to Sinbad, "So what is the plan?" . However, the look wasn't the nervous, longing looks they had been giving each other since they first came upon each other again, it was something more familiar more playful. "You do know me well, don't you sorceress?" His response and the look that follwed put redness in her cheeks. "Well, the first thing we need to do is get the people out the village and into a safe area," Maeve looked back at Toris who had the same answer in mind, they both nodded at each other, "the caves in the mountains would probably be best, they are high enough to shelter from any assault and Vexicus is unfamiliar with them. The Nomad's crew could help move them." Sinbad grinned noticing how knowledgeable she had become for battling, and how comfortable she felt with volunteering them. "Yes, Maeve that would be perfect." The two started gazing again, the others were starting to get rather amused at the unspoken flirting that was going on, but Toris not understanding what was going on interrupted them, "Deora I will speak with the people, Maeve and the rest of you can make plans with the crew, and Shalice can stay here and guard over Maila." They all nodded at the plan, and Toris and Deora exited the room. Seeing the looks everyone else was giving each other, Shalice also left behind them.
They all stood there in silence, not exactly sure what to say until, "Enough of this, Lass it is good to have you back." With Doubar's words he gave her a bear hug and picked her up like a rag doll to a little girl. She giggled at this, and everyone accompanied her. Firouz and Rongar were next to give her hugs. Bryn was not exactly sure of how to address her, so she held out her hand for a shake, Maeve gave her an astonished look that frightened Bryn. But Bryn's fears were put to rest when Maeve hugged her. The two woman smiled at both their uneasiness was lifted. Next was Sinbad, they knew hugging was something what they wanted to do, there was so much to say, but for the sake of everyone else in the room they embraced each other. The embrace was sweet, and it gave them both chances to breathe in each other again. Nevertheless the other member left in the room distracted Maeve. She let herself out of Sinbad's embrace and slowly made her way over to her brother. They stared at each other for a moment, and then with smiles on both faces Dermott took his sister in his arms and stayed that way for a rather long period.
*****
Sinbad and the others all headed into the village to speak with the crew. They also wanted to give them a surprise.
Once the entire crew had congregated Sinbad stood on a high positioned rock so they could all hear him speak. "Men! Now I know you all heard of the battle last night. But what you don't know that was not the first for this island with that enemy, and it will not be the last. Now I have enlisted my services for help, but someone from the palace would like to ask you for yours," he then pointed to the person standing behind Doubar, and when all the men saw her they began to cheer. They all yelled in unison, "MAEVE! It is good to see you woman.....SORCERESS, THANK ALLAH!.....knew the woman could not stay away from us long...." as Sinbad lifted her onto the rock with him he ended mistakenly pulling her close to him, they looked into each others eyes, and then she quickly turned and faced the men. She smiled and laughed at all their cheers.
"Hey boys I missed you too." She smiled, "Now please calm yourselves I need to speak with you all." It took them a few moments, but they did as she asked; "Now I am glad to see all of you as well. Now I know you all have many questions so I will do my best to answer them for you. I should start by saying that I have been on this island the majority of time since I last saw you all. Master Dim Dim sent me here because he believed they needed my help more than you, and Bryn was to be sent to you anyway so he knew I could be used elsewhere. Cestria island is an island of peaceful, simple people as you probably already have been made aware by being in the village, but these people are not warriors and are not familiar with battle. I come here to ask you for your help. The time is coming where this island will face its greatest battle against its greatest enemy. And the people I can think of that can help, that can truly win this is the crew of The Nomad. I'm not saying this will be easy, and I would not blame you if you choose to do it but...." One of the crewmates stood up, "Maeve, if we do this, does that mean you would becoming back to the ship afterwards?"
His question stunned Maeve. She looked around to see if anyone would assist her, but by looking around they all wanted an answer to that question, and as her eyes reached Sinbad's eyes she answered in a quiet voice, "Yes." The men's cheers startled her a bit, but made her laugh again. Sinbad then jumped back on the rock, back in front of Maeve and turned to the crew, "well then men do I take it you are all in for another adventure?!" They cheered again at their Captain's question. "Wonderful, then split yourselves in two, the first group help collect the elderly, the mothers and children to the caves up in the mountains, the palace guards will show you away. The other group take the men and able woman and follow the foot soldiers to the beach and begin building trenches!" the men all dispersed in following Sinbad's orders.
Maeve and Sinbad both jumped off the rock and to the others in the group. Some crewmembers hugged Maeve; others just wave as they began their job. She knew she missed them as much as they missed her. When she turned back she saw Sinbad approach her, and smile began to fade. However, it was not Sinbad who reached her first. "Hello sister, I believe we need to talk." And with that said Dermott grabbed her arm and pulled her to the beach. Maeve wasn't sure if she were to be relieved Dermott got there before Sinbad, or worried at what he needed to say to her.
*****
They walked down the beach for a long while. The silence that was joined with the walk tortured Maeve. She knew he had a lot to say, but knew he had know where to start. So being the good sister that she was she b, "Well, little brother, I would think after years of being a Hawk you would have more to say HUMPH!" He glared at her and she giggled at the look. "You are older than me by part of a day, NO MORE...and it is not exactly easy to come up with something to say....we haven't seen each other in almost two years....and years before that I was a member of the feathered family, what would you like me to say?!" She smiled at him, this was more like her brother, she decided to challenge him a bit, "I would like you to say something....I mean you brought me here....than that means you have something you would like to say." She pointed out, "and I know that we have been apart, but it is still me, have I changed so much you can no longer speak to me...." She gave him innocent eyes and fluttering lashes, and then to crown it off, she pouted her bottom lip, "Oh for the love of Allah, do not give me that look....." she pouted her lips more and fluttered her eyes incessantly, "Fine that does it. He grabbed her by her waist and started spinning her. She pinched his hand, and made him yelp. "Sorceress or no sorceress, you are still my runt." Runt that is what he called her growing up since she was so short compared to him.
She smiled back at him and they began laughing, he placed down on the ground and they faced the water and the Nomad. "So have you missed us at all?" Her smiled faded as she looked back at her brother, "I have missed you more than you could ever imagine. But I know you, LITTLE BROTHER, you did not bring me out here to say you missed me." He gave her a sly smile. "You are correct, as usual RUNT, I have been dying for as long as you been gone to speak to you about this." She gave him a sly smile back, "You want to speak of a certain yellow garbed sorceress?" He turned in shock, "how did you.......I mean how could you....is there a power you have yet to tell me about?" She started laughing at her confused brother, "It does not take any power to read the stares you have been giving one another, have you told her how you feel." He shakes his head, "I do not know how I feel." Her eyes widen, "You are such a CAD, you know exactly how you feel, you are just afraid to tell her." He looked back at her and glared again, "well then it must be hereditary because I do not see you telling a certain long haired captain how you feel either." Her mouth dropped open at her brother's statement, the both of them sat and looked out at the water, and he decided to break the ice this time. He slightly shoved her playfully. She shoved back in response, another one of their childhood traditions, to say she forgave him. "You should just tell her." She said solemnly as she look back to him, "Probably, I believe you have such great advisement, you may want to follow it." She smiled at him for still challenging her, "Hmmm, maybe." They looked back at the water, back at the Nomad, back to where their greatest gifts and troubles stemmed from.
TBC.....
R and R please...
Don't worry the next chapter will be chocked full of Sinbad and Maeve...I promise...hehehehe